In fact, I’d go as far as to say it’s not so much a coming of age tale, but more a loss of innocence.

It follows Mormon life from the 1950’s Short Creek, Arizona to 1970’s Gooding, Idaho, and takes not only the characters, but also the readers, on a vivid roadtrip across the United States.

Central to the story is 15-year-old Loretta, whose life changes after she is caught sneaking out of her house one night. As punishment for wanting a normal life, her parents marry her off as a sister-wife to a Mormon Elder.

What follows is the urge to escape, the yearning for freedom from the confines of the family faith, not only for Lori who lives in a polygamist community, but also Jason who is also a Mormon but monogamist. He idolises Evel Knievel, and longs for a life of adventure. Together, they embark on a trip in search of gold and freedom.

The story is a page-turner from cover to cover, and not only provides an insight into Mormon religion and communities, but also into what teenage life is like governed by those restraints. Throw in the 70’s and a joyride across the States, and you’re left with a novel that shows the deeply human desire to break free.

We did it guys!! Thanks to your votes my story The Bravery of the Soldier is now in 15th place in Inkitt’s Fandom Writing Contest out of 1,710 entries!!!

It’s now closed to new submissions, but voting continues for another week! So please keep voting and help an aspiring author out! With your help I can stay at the top!

To vote follow this link and click on the heart. If you’re not on Inkitt yet (and really you should be because there are awesome new stories published every day – original and fanfiction) you’ll be ask to set up a free account.

Bravery is the first novel-length piece of writing I’ve ever shown to a wider audience. It was written during NaNoWriMo 2013 and has gained an overwhelming number of positive reviews in AO3 and fanfiction.net since then as part of the BBC Sherlock Fandom . The latest comment I received on it (yesterday) was: “This is just… WOW! All the kudos!”

I like to think you’re doing OK when your story leaves fangirls speechless. It’s also been hailed by members of the armed forces for realistic portrayals of both, active war zones and the struggles returning personnel face back home, and I have been asked more than once where I served despite not having any affiliation with the military myself.

I promise there is no smut in it whatsoever, and wartime experiences are only told in flashbacks to explain John Watson’s current day state of mind. The focus is on John today, how he became the man he is, and in how many ways he could give a certain consulting detective a run for his money.

Your vote can help me show this story to a whole new audience, as the winning stories can get editing help and possible publication! To reach that stage would make this writer’s dreams come true, and you can make it happen!

You guys!!! Thanks to your clicking and liking, my little fanfic The Bravery of the Soldier is currently in 28th place out of 1,034 entries in the Inkitt Fandom Writing Contest!!!

28th of 1,034 and counting!!!!

*happy dance* OMG, I still can’t believe this!!

With only 9 days left to vote there is still a gap of 100+ likes between the top liked stories and mine. If you’ve already voted I thank you for your support! If you haven’t, please consider to take a few seconds and follow the link to click the little heart (and read the story, of course, if you like) and help out a fellow writer in her first big writing contest!

I never would have dreamt that this little NaNoWriMo story I dreamt up while I was in hospital would become so popular. Please help me show it to a wider audience.

Thank you!

UPDATE:

Officially in the TOP 25!!

But here’s the competition to beat:

The Bravery of the Soldier – in 24th place of the Fandom Writing Contest!

The Doctor of BBC’s Doctor Who might be a world-saving, time-travelling 900-odd-year-old alien, but even he makes time for a good book or two in his hectic life.

What started over 50 years ago as a (somewhat) educational filler-programme is teaching kids today (in a very sneaky way) that literature isn’t dull. Literary references abound on the show, and the Doctor is showing a whole new generation that it’s perfectly acceptable to geek out a little when you meet your favourite author or cry over fictional characters. Sometimes, the literary nods are subtle, a throw-away line here or a sneaky glimpse of something there, but sometimes they are bold and in your face. For example, there are a whole episodes dedicated to William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens and Agatha Christie.

Some episodes were even written by famous authors. The list of authors includes such names like Ben Aaronovitch (known for Rivers of London), Douglas Adams (known for Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy), Neil Gaiman (known for Neverwhere) and Mark Gatiss (known for the Lucifer Box trilogy).

As it is World Book Day today (except in the UK, because they’re special little snowflakes) I compiled a list of 40 references to literature or reading on Doctor Who, with a little help from my cousin.